hold (something) close to (one's) the vest 成语
close to the vest
hidden, covered, not showing your cards Walter plays close to the vest. He doesn't let me see his cards.
vest
a bullet proof vest
have a vested interest in
Idiom(s): have a vested interest in sth
Theme: OWNERSHIP
to have a personal or biased interest, often financial, in something.
• Margaret has a vested interest in wanting her father to sell the family firm. She has shares in it and would make a large profit.
• Jack has a vested interest in keeping the village traffic-free.
play one's cards close to one's vest
Idiom(s): play one's cards close to the chest AND play one's cards close to one's vest
Theme: SECRECY
[for someone] to work or negotiate in a careful and private manner.
• It's hard to figure out what John is up to because he plays his cards close to his chest.
• Don't let them know what you're up to. Play your cards close to your vest.
vested interest
vested interest
A personal stake in something, as in She has a vested interest in keeping the house in her name. This term, first recorded in 1818, uses vested in the sense of “established” or “secured.”